Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan speaking in New York at the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) on Jun 19, 2023. (Screengrab: United Nations)
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan speaking in New York at the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) on Jun 19, 2023. (Screengrab: United Nations)
SINGAPORE: The adoption of a historic United Nations treaty that protects the high seas has been described as a "collective game changer" by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who said Singapore will ratify the agreement as soon as possible.
He was speaking in New York at the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), where he delivered Singapore’s national statement on Monday (Jun 19).
He added that Singapore will sign the BBNJ agreement as soon as it opens for signature on Sep 20, and urged all UN member states to similarly strive for the early signing and ratification of the treaty.
Singapore's oceans issues ambassador Rena Lee presided over the BBNJ negotiations and oversaw talks among more than 190 countries that agreed to the agreement on Mar 4.
The BBNJ agreement is a legal framework that aims to provide environmental protection to ocean areas that exist outside national borders. The agreement also puts in place requirements for environmental impact studies for proposed activities in international waters.
The treaty was adopted by the UN on Monday.
Calling its adoption a "victory for international law”, Dr Balakrishnan said it was fitting that this came not long after the international community celebrated the 40th anniversary of the adoption and opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
UNCLOS sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out.
He said: "This is an agreement that is grounded in and upholds UNCLOS, through the rules that it sets for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
"And I believe it strengthens the comprehensive framework provided by UNCLOS and reaffirms the rule of law in ocean governance."
He said that the BBNJ agreement is a victory for the management of the global commons, noting that the ocean provides food, supplies millions of jobs, and supports livelihoods across the entire world. It also enables global trade and communications.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "The agreement is a collective game changer for our efforts to conserve and to sustainably use marine biological diversity. And it also marks a step forward for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 that mandates the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, the seas, and marine resources for all humanity."
Dr Balakrishnan added the BBNJ agreement is a win for multilateralism and the UN.
Citing how Singapore’s history, people and economy are deeply intertwined with the ocean, he said Singapore relies on it for survival and prosperity.
"At the same time, we recognise the importance of multilateral cooperation under the aegis of the United Nations in establishing and upholding the rules-based international order founded upon international law, and this is especially critical for the survival of small states everywhere," said the minister.
"The adoption of this agreement by consensus in a time when the world is unsettled is all the more remarkable. It is a testament of what can be achieved in the United Nations when we take collective action in pursuit of a shared objective."
He also congratulated Mrs Lee and the delegates on the adoption of the agreement.
"On behalf of the government and the people of Singapore, let me say that we feel very privileged and humbled that a Singaporean ambassador was given the honour to preside over the BBNJ negotiations," the minister added.